Water toboggan



.Em 2 w23. 1,441,126

J. W.r SHERMAN ET AL` V WATER ToBosGAN. F1 LED APRv IO, 1922.

' J. w. SHERMAN ET AL 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 WATER ToBoGGAN.

FILED APR, 10, 1922.

Jan. 2, 1923.

2,] wugnkoz JT 20.572,67- nza/ry FILED APR. IO. 1922. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 k 9 9 9 V [l A Y 0 @Z0 Z g'wu'nlot y atto: "m30 Patented dan. 2, 1923.

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JOHN VJILLARD SHERMAN VANJD FLETCHER M, CATRON, OF SULPHUR'SPRINGS, FLORIDA..

WATER ToBoGGAN.

Application filed April l0, 1.922.v Serial No. 551,177.

To all whom t may concern Be it lrnown that we, JOHN lV-iLLAnn SHERMAN and FLETCHER M. CATnoN, citizens of the United States, residing at Sulphur Springs, in the county of Hillsborough and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful improvements in a i/Vater rloboggan, of whichthe followingis a specifcation.

@ur invention relates to amusement devices and has particular reference to a water toboggan.

rlhe primary object of the invention is to provide an inclined toboggan slide and toboggan constructed over a pond or the like and equipped with novel means for providing a rapid descent of the toboggan.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device of this character novel j means for retaining the toboggan 1n its up` permost position on the slide, and novel means for effecting a release thereof.

With these general obpects in view, and such others as will be apparent from the description, our invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, of which- Figure 1 is an elevation of the toboggan slide;

Figure 2, a top plan view of the rear end of the toboggan in locked position at the top of the slide;

Figure 3, a rear end elevation of the toboggan and locking mechanism;

Figure 11, an end elevation of the slide;

Figure 5, a vertical section through a portion of the slideway;

Figure 6 a top plan view of the portion illustrated in Figure Figure 7, a top plan of the toboggan;

Figure 8, a side elevation thereof; and

Figure 9, a bottom plan view of the toboggan; and

Figure 10, a cross section through the toboggan and trackway.

In its preferred form we have shown the invention as constructed of an inclined slideway 1, supported on suitably spaced vertical piers 2, horizontal members 3 and interconnecting cross members 4. At the upper end of the slideway is a pavilion 5 and leading up to this pavilion from the lower end of the slideway and at one side vance of the toboggan.

thereof is a stairway 6, the slideway and stairway being protected by the banister members 7, and a central dividing rail 8 The slideway comprises an inclined plane surface gradually curved to a level at its lower 'end and carrying trackways consist ing of longitudinal timbers 9 and l0, the timbers 9 being disposed in spaced relation and connectedby the timbers 10, which form the bottoms lof the trackways, as best illustrated in Figure 10.

The toboggan member which is slidable down these trackways consists of a base 11 having a gradually curved end 12 provided with a central longitudinal seat 13 supported ontransverse upriglits 14: which exs tend tothe sides of the toboggan and provide foot-rests for a person using 'the slide. The eXtreme curved end 12 of the toboggan is connected to the foremost support by means of the turn-buckle adjusting rod 15 whereby the degree of curvature of the toboggan end may be adjusted and maintained in the position desired. A toboggan is wider than the traclways and is provided on its bottom with longitudinal runners 16 extending the entire length thereof andcurved on the end of the toboggan as illustrated. These runners 16 are adapted to be seated in the trackways between the timbers 9 and rest on the bottom timbers 10, and the width of the runnersl is such that a slight clearance is maintained between the sides of the runners and the inner side faces of the timbers 9, as best illustrated in Figure 10.

As an effective means of providing a continual lubrication for the runners within the trackways, we provide a water supply sys-- tem comprising an inlet conduit 17 in connection with an electric pump 18, delivering to the top of the slideway and slightly in ad- In each trackWa-y are outlets 19 in connection with branches 20 of the inlet conduit 17.

With this construction it is obvious that as the pump is operated a continuous stream of water will be delivered at the top of the trackways and flow down each side, whereby an extremely efficient lubrication is at all times maintained between the toboggan runners and the traclrways.

A locking and release mechanism for the toboggan consists of an eyebolt 21 carried in the rearmost support 14: of the toboggan, which is adapted to receive a hook 22 keeper :24 is lifted out of engagement With` the hook, same may be moved laterally out of engagement with the eyebolt 2l when the lever 26 is moved the requisite distance. lt

is obvious that when the parte are in locked position as described, the toboggan will be securely retained at the top ot the slide, and on manipulation ot the hooks and lever, will be released, to descend in the trackways at a greatly accelerated speed due to the lubrication provided by the water system as set forth.

The present invention. contemplates the use of ltimber in all parts of the construction, the toboggan being made of light birch, White oak, hickory, or any other suitable material, in order that it mayeasily be carried by one person. The depth ot runners 16 is sutlicient to engage in the trackways effectually to prevent accidental dislodgement therefrom. The toboggan is ot the conventional type used on snow or ice, being fur,- tlier provided with runners. lt is not a boat and does not function as one, being used by bathers, and its light construction permits it easily to be carried up the stairway to the tower platform.

1While We have illustrated and described certain details and materials forming this embodiment, We desire it to be understood that they are not limitations, but any such may be used as fall'vvithin the scope of the claims.

l/Ve claim:

l. A device ot the character described 'including an inclined trackway terminatingin a body of Water, a track comprising trough shaped parallel rails extending the length thereof, a toboggan, runners on the toboggan adapted to slide in said rails, and means "for supplying Water to the rails to provide lubrication for the toboggan runners.

2. The combination with a tower having a platform at its top and an inclined trackway extending from the platform and terminating in a body of Water, a stairway parallel with said trackway, ot a track including trough shaped parallel rails extending the length oi the trackivay, a toboggan, runners on the toboggan adaptedto slide in said rails, Water supply system having an inlet in the body ot' water and outlets through the trough shaped rails, and a. pump in said system to supply sufficient Water to the rails to lubricate the toboggan runners.

3. In a device of the characterdescribed, an inclined trackway, a toboggan member slidable down sait trackvvay, an eye bolt carried by said toboggan, a hook secured at'the uppermost portion of the trackway structure and adapted to engage said eye bolt to retain the toboggan in uppermost position, a locking member for said hook, and a lever for moving said hook out of engagement With said eye bolt to release the toboggan.

In a device ot the character described, an inclined trackivay, a toboggan member slidable down said trackivay, an eye bolt carried by said toboggan, a hook pivoted in the tracktvay structure to engage said hook to move thesame out of engagement with said eye bolt in the release ot the toboggan, and a keeper pivoted in the trackway structure to engage over said hook and maintain the same in locked position.

In testimony Whereoic We atlix our signatures.

J. WLLRD SHERMAN. F. M. CATRON. 

